Settable keying apparatus



Feb. 3, 1953 1. R. MacKAY 2,627,599

SETTABLE KEYING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 6, 1950 3 Sheets-Shea?I l Hlmmmwm Uffing 5U O 4 4 v I O G O O l' V ff-W. 'i 52 l) 60 92 '72 a0 W *l u@ Y 1 fj no ez 61 A 100 f2@ 2,4 l l INVENTOR.

Z7 f 51 27 I ffl/NL l? Maf/fag A'V//A V BY 5 KM b. MM 52 :m 40 1; 52

Feb- 3, 1953 J. R. MaGKAY 2,627,599

SETTABLE KEYING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 6,11950 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 3 la l 1N V EN TOR.

Ivn Maa/Yay BY /M Mm Feb. 3, 1953 J. R. MaGKAY 2,627,599

SETTABLE KEYING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 6, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 110 111 110 111, l 128 122 /M 1zs/1117gf' l /120/ 122/ I 7 125 l L 112 lg 123A Il 12a- 1z0 15 11m 118 E A i-2 7 Z i ET v 110 116 /Z .1M 50 118 l/afqgy 116 E410 127 O O O f l W75 mijn@ 126 45g INVENTOR. .f/111 laaag Y mi@ 5, AMAA v firm/mfy Patented Feb. 3, 1953 SETTABLE KEYING APPARATUS John R. MacKay, Packanack Lake, N. J., assigner to Wallace & Tiernan Products, Inc., Belleville, N. J., a. corporation of New Jersey Application December 6, 1950, Serial No. 199,437

22 Claims.

This invention relates to keying apparatus such as employed for keying an electrical control circuit in a signal transmitting system or the like, and more particularly relates to keying mechanisms where a desired message is set up and wherein operation of the mechanism then produces successive actuations of electrical contact means, i. e. a keying switch, to translate the message into appropriately keyed operation of the control circuit. In such devices, the keying operation is preferably automatic, as under a motor drive or the like, and such that the messagekeying cycle is automatically repeated, e. g. for successive transmission or signaling operation with respect to the same message. In a more specific sense, the invention is concerned With such keying apparatus in which the message may be readily set up by adjustable means or by other manipulation, permitting ready change or substitution oi messages, a particularly important and preferred embodiment of the apparatus involving the use of settable message-dening members so that any of an essentially infinite variety of messages may be selected.

Keying apparatus of such character is useful for a wide variety of purposes, especially in sitnations where any one of many conceivable messages, depending on circumstances, may have to be transmitted, i. e. keyed, automatically and repeatedly. purpose of the present specification and claims, the term message is used to mean any series of character elements which can be translated into a corresponding series of modifications of one or more electrical circuits, each such series of character elements customarily involving a multiplicity of them so arranged in succession as to afford a series of control components having individual durations or successive spacing in time, which usually diier, e. g. in relation to each other, as the series progresses. The arranged series of character elements, in themselves or by successive arrangement providing the series of control components, thus represents the distinctive character of the message. Thus, for example, such message may consist of a series of letters or other characters in the International Morse code. which may spell out one or more words of ordinary intelligible nature, or may consist oi a combination of letters or numbers having some special signicance. The dots and dashes composing the characters in such code, and likewise the spaces between such parts of a character and between characters, may thus represent the control components of a message It may be explained that for the e to be keyed, the term character elements being used herein in a generic sense to denne such components or, for example in the case of the stated code, more elemental parts of which the dots, dashes and spaces may be deemed to be composed. Thus a message in code of this type can be analyzed or established as a series of two types of character elements, viz. a dot unit and a space unit, with dashes and spaces between letters being composed of a plurality of such units respectively.

Alternatively, apparatus of the nature hereinbelow described may be employed for the keying of messages which consist of other than Morse code characters, e. g. another series of a multiplicity of character elements (as of the above described or some other nature), having predetermined significance for signaling, remote controlling or like operations. It will thus be understood that the term message While customarily involving a more complex succession of character elements than, say such as would require only a single alternation or like simple operation of circuit control, is not necessarily restricted to a series of words, abbreviations or the like having direct literary significance.

By way of example, a keying mechanism of the present and preferably adjustable type is oi special utility for sea, air or other vessels which are required to transmit any one of a multiplicity of predetermined or otherwise specially delineated messages, as by radio, light signal or the like, to indicate the location of the vessel in a particular area or to transmit a standardized request or statement of information to a remote observer. In such situations it is quite commonly contemplated that the selected message be repeatedly signaled, i. e. transmitted again and again throughout a relatively long interval of time. Quite frequently, such messages may consist simply of a combination of letters or numbers in accordance With a special signaling code. For such use, a device of the present sort may sometimes be described as an adjustable or variable code keyer, in permitting any one of many code combinations of characters to be set up ior transmission. To avoid confusion, however, such combinations are herein described as messages, the term code being generally restricted to the sense of the Internatonal Morse or like code, directly employed for electrical circuit control.

Devices of the described type are often employed under severe service conditions and by personnelwho may have many other duties, so

rthe .component members.

that complete reliability of the equipment and ease of its operation are of great importance. The setting up of a message should preferably be performed with speed and facility, requiring no special training of the operator and involving no complex mechanical adjustments. Likewise the device should be rugged, precise and reliable in operation and in all respects such as to minimize any need for repair, adjustment or replacement of mechanical and electrical parts. Compactness of design and quietness in operation are also important criteria, especially where the apparatus must be located in spaces where other communication and signaling equipment is carried and more or less constantly employed.

important objects of the present invention are therefore to provide apparatus of the character described, achieving all or at least some of the above criteria of structure and operation. A specie and particularly important object is to provide such apparatus wherein by simple manipulation of settable members, e. g. wholly from the exterior of the device, any of a variety of messages may be established, in an improved and notably convenient manner. A still further object is to provide novel and effective apparatus of the type described wherein the actual electrical keying operation is performed by only a single switch or equivalent device, in accordance with the desired message, thus avoiding servicing or other problems incidental to the use of a mul- Y tiplicity of electrical contacts, for example, corresponding to successive parts of messages. A corresponding object is the provision of improved apparatus wherein except for the keying switch itself, the setting, translating and control operations are all achieved by mechanical means, which may be of a relatively reliable character, positive in function at all times and substantially non-susceptible of derangement or misad justment.

Another object is to provide keying apparatus of new and eflicient nature, which is especially quiet in operation, which is of compact yet rugged character and which requires only a relatively small amount of power for automatic operation, e. g. thus permitting the use of a relatively small and inexpensive motor for its drive and thus also minimizing wear and tear on various moving or bearing parts.

Additional objects are the provision Vof improved devices of the stated type, which are more eicient and economical, easier to operate, and simpler orotherwise less expensive to manufacture, as in the foregoing or other respects, and in comparison with such equipment as may heretofore have been available for like purpose.

To these and other ends, important features of the improved apparatus, especially as ernbodied in presently preferred forms, of the sort hereinbelow described, include the provision of a readily Ysettalole structure, e. g. a Series of settable members, extending along a linear path or paths and adapted to define the desired message by surface contour of the structure along the path, as by successive high and low faces of In cooperation with the message-defining structure, sensing means are provided, progressively movable along the path for positional response to the selected contour of the elongated structure or assembly. Cooperating with the sensing means and thus functioning throughout its progress along the path, means are provided to actuate a keying switch, viz. .an electrical contacting device (or assembly of devices), which can be shifted to and from a plurality of positions for corresponding modification or like control function with respect to one or more electrical circuits.

In the instrumentalities for sensing the control components of the message structure and thereby successively operating the switch, and especially in the case of message-defining structures arranged in one or more rectlinear rows, one very advantageous arrangement comprises an elongated device, arranged parallel to the path or paths along the message means, and reciprocable in accordance with the positional response of the sensing means as it progresses from one end to the other of the path or paths. cordance with certain presently preferred and speciiic aspects of the invention, the mechanism includes one or more sensing members having provision, such as a conveyor device, for carrying the member or members along the message structure and in positionally responsive relation thereto. The elongated actuating member, in such arrangement, is preferably constituted by a platen or the like disposed along the path of the sensing element, at its other side, and mounted, e. g. by parallel linkage, for reciprocation by the sensing element at any locality of the latter in the path, means being provided for transmitting the platen displacements to the keying switch, so that successive actuations of the latter are effectively achieved during the travel of the sensing means. Provision is also preferably made for automatic drive, i. e. to carry the sensing means along the designated path, for instance by an electric or other Vmotor suitably coupled to the conveyor device. A further and likewise important feature of the present irnprovements involves the provision of two or more message structures, e. g. each of the sort mentioned above, arranged in parallel, coextensive relation, the conveyor device then carrying separate sensing elements respectively past one and then another of the message'structures. In this way messages of considerable length `may be established for transmission with mechanism of notably small and compact size. Further features of structural or other improvement, and likewise additional details of instrumentalities mentioned above, are disclosed in the specific examples of mechanisms set forth below, all to the attainment of eiiicent, reliable and easily controlled keying operations.

The accompanying drawings thus illustrate certain specic structures embodying the invention .and designed for automatic keying of any of a wide variety of messages that may be set up by means of simple, keyboard character.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. l is a plan view (or elevation if the device is disposed in upright position) of the outer or panel face of a presently preferred embodiment;

Fig. 2 is essentially a vertical section (considering Fig. 1 as in plan) on line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 2a is an enlarged fragmentary view of a part of Fig. 2, showing certain detaii of releasable retaining means for the settabie members;

Fig. 2b is an enlarged fragmentary view of another part of Fig. 2, but showing certain function-s of a sensing device in another position;

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section on line 3-3 of Fig. 2, with certain structure broken away to reveal underlying parts;

Fig. 4 is a transverse section on line 4 4 of Fig. 2; Y

Fig. 4c is an enlarged fragmentary view of a In acpart of Fig. 4, further showing detail illustrated in Fig. 2a

Fig. 5 is a somewhat fragmentary View corresponding to Fig.` 1 and thus conveniently considered in plan, of structure on the outer or panel face of another embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary vertical section on line 6--6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a transverse vertical section on line '1 -'I of Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is an elevational View (or horizontal View if the panel of the device is upright) of another embodiment; and

Fig. 9 is a fragment-ary sectional view, taken as if on line 9 9 of Fig. 8, but with the vertical dimension of Fig. 9 taken perpendicular to the plane of the drawing of Fig. 8.

Referring rst to Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, the particularly advantageous type of mechanism there shown is designed for automatic keying of any desired message that may be set up, for example, in International Morse code on a key board generally designated and exposed at the outer face of a panel 2| which may also constitute an outer or upper supporting plate for the mechanism. It will be understood that the device may be mounted or disposed with the panel 2| in vertical, horizontal or other desired position.

In the illustrated structure, the key board 20 consists of three parallel rows 22, 23 and 24 of keys or settable members 25, each consisting of an exposed head so identified, carried at the outer end of a rod or shank 21 which slides through a corresponding opening 28 in the panel 2| and which is also guided by an aligning hole or opening 30 in a subpanel 3| mounted behind the main panel in spaced relation thereto. Thus, each of the rows 22, 23 and 24 comprises a linear array of the keys 25 in essentially side-by-side relation along a predetermined straight line.

At its inner end each of the key shanks 21 carries a cylindrically shaped head or abutment 32, providing a plane face 33 exposed in an opposite direction from the panels 2|, 3| and designed to constitute an elemental part of the messagedening contour as further explained below.

Each of the key devices is thus shiftable perpendicularly of the panel 2|, selectively into a plurality of positions respectively representing actuating levels to be transmitted to the keying switch and respectively corresponding to the plurality of operating positions employed in the switch and desired for character-defining transmission of character elements. Thus for example, where the transmission is to be in accordance with the stated Morse code and the circuit modification (as by opening or closing one or more circuits) is to reciprocate between a position for dots and dashes and a position for spaces, each of the keys 25 is shiftable between two control positions, i. e. between a high position of its face 33 as at 33a in Fig. 2, or a low position of such face as at 33h, the terms high and low being used with respect to the path of sensing means across the message faces 33 of the keys as also described below.

Means are provided for releasably locking each key in each of its selective positions. Thus a coil spring 35 is disposed under compression around each' key shank 21 between the subpanel 3| and a collar 3S held on the key shank by a pin 31, each spring 35 thus urging its corresponding key outwardly into the low position of the control face 33. To cooperate in holding the key in such outer position, the projecting ends of a pin 38, which is mounted in the key shank at a locality spaced from the head 32, abut the lower side of the subpanel 3| and are specifically designed to seat in a groove 40 (Figs. 2a and 4a) formed in the sur- Iface of the subpanel and extending along the line high position, there is provided a flange or rest 42 extending alongside each of the rows 22, 23 and 24 at the lower or innermost face of the subpanel 3|. Adjacent each key shank 2'|, the flange 42 for the corresponding row carries a notch 44 of a size to receive one projecting end of the pin 38. Each key rod or shank 21 is adapted to turn as well as slide in the holes 28, 3Q, as by manual rotation of the key head 25. Thus for example, to displace one of the keys from its low face position at 332? to a high face position at 33a, the head 25 is depressed until the pin 38 is well below the edge of the adjacent iiange 42, whereupon the key is turned 90 and allowed to move outwardly, seating the pin 38 in the corresponding notch M. By such operation, the key is releasably locked with its operating face at a high position 33a. To move such a key back to the alternative position, it is simply again slidably depressed, clearing the pin from the nange 42, and then turned 9i0, whereupon it may be released to reseat the pin in the groove Mi, where it is now releasably locked in a low position, the spring 35 yagain holding the key at such location.

While the corresponding elevated and depressed positions of the key heads 25 outside the panel 2| may serve to designate the positioning of the respective keys, each may also be provided with an index mark such as a transverse line 63 diametrically crossing its surface and disposed to indicate the position of the key and specifically the position of its operating face 33; since the releasable locking means requires the turning of the keys through 90 between the two positions of each, the attitude of the line 45, e. g. horizontal or vertical, will thus represent the key position.

While the index keys and their respective faces 33 may be designed to represent other types of character elements, a conventional arrangement (as in the specific device shown) is to have each key constitute a single unit of Morse code representation, viz, the dot unit in the high position 33a and a space unit in the low position 33h. As Will now be apparent, a dash is constituted by depressing three (or more) adjacent keys 25 to the high position of the operating face as at 25a,

while a dot is afforded by a single key so disposed as at 25e. Likewise, a space between the control components of a single letter or other character, e. g. between the dots and dashes of a given letter, is afforded by the low position of the face 33 of one key, e. g. as at 25o, while av space between characters or letters is represented by the corresponding low position of a plurality of faces 33, for example, a group of three keys as indicated at 25d. It will now be seen that various dots, dashes, spaces and like control Icomyponents of various lengths may be readily progeantes disposing .thelines so-that a horizontal position of thelines represents a high position of the faces 3.3 (for dots Aor dashes) and a vertical line position designates spacing, i e. where the face 33 is in its low position in the message contour.

As will presently appear, the apparatus is adapted to afford circuit-keying response to the successive control components settable on the lines 22, 23, 24 in succession, for example (as shown in Fig. 1,) by 'progressing from the -left hand vend of line 22 to its right hand end inthe direction of the dotted arrow, then in eiect reverting Vin the direction of the curved index arrows to the left hand end of line 23. Thereafter keying proceeds along line 23 and finally shifts again, back to the left hand end `of line 24 for like progress along thelatter, the complete cycle being thereafter repeated in the desired automatic operationof the mechanism. Although the illustrated device is shown with three such rows of 20 keys each, it will be understood that the Y number of rows, whether one, two or more, and

likewise the number of keys in each row, may varyconsiderably in accordance with the service for which the apparatus is designed and especially Ythe kinds of message which it is required to transmit. For instance, where each message is to be expressed in a combination of 2 or 3 letters or numbers in the described Morse code, an arrangement of the sort actually shown is usually suitable; still simpler messages may require only a single row of keys while adaptability Vto longer or more complex series of character elements may necessitate longer rows of keys or a greater number of rows.

In order to effectuate sensing of the messagedefining contour thus settable at the faces 33 along the rows of keys, suitable sensing Ameans are carried past the paths of vthe faces by a coi veyor -device comprising a vpair of endless chains f 53, 5I which lie in respective loops spaced along and at opposite sides of the parallel paths corresponding to the rows 22 to 23. At one end, the chains are carried by corresponding spaced sprocket wheels 52, 53 on a shaft 54, and at the other end by like sprocket wheels 33, 5l iixed on the shaft 58. The shafts 5G, 53 are supported `by suitable bearing blocks 52 carried near the ends of a plate Se mounted on the frame structure generally designated 6I. chains 5B, 5I are adapted to travel continuously in their parallel., dened loops, the chains travelling together and each traversing paths ,adjacent but outside several rows of key faces 33.

To provide sensing .elements `for engagement with the message-defining contours of therespective key rows 22 to 24, supporting rods 62, 33 and i G4 are carried by and between the chains 5U, 5I.,

each rod having its ends respectively secured to the Vchains and spanning the distance between them in a direction perpendicular to the path across the rows 22 to 24, but adapted to lie in the plane of such path or paths. As indica-ted, one such rod is provided, in effect, for each of the key rows and carries a sensing element so disposed on the rod as to cross the face of a specic key row without engaging any other' row. 1n the preferred device shown, the sensing elements comprise respectively the sleeves or tubular sections i2, 73 and i4, respectively mounted on the rods 62, 63 and @Il for coaction with the individual rows 22, 23 and 24.

Hence as the chains 50, 5l are advanced around their sprocket wheels as in the direction of the Thus the sprocket i' arrows in Fig. f2, the sensing .elements wi11 ;.be carried past the faces 33, each element being operatively engaged'only-with the row to which its posi-tion, on its corresponding supportingzrochrelates. For instance, in Fig. .2, vthe sensing velement 13 has just completed traversing the `row 23 `of key members (not shown, but behind :the illustrated row 24), while the element 14 iseabout to pass its own key row 24. Thereafter, a new cycle of keying will be commenced (by continued travel of the chains) when the sensing element 112 reaches its own row 22 of faces 33. For .completion of the succeeding cycle (the first cycle having been illustrated at a stage of partial completion), the respective sensing `elements 13 14 will successively traverse their rows 23, 24. vIn most cases and especially 'for compactness `of the equipment, the chains 50, 5I `may heno longer than to accommodate the .required number vrci sensing elements with their supporting rods mutually ,spaced .lengthwise of thefchain by distances approximately equal to the .lengths of .the key rows, so that as ,soon :as one cycle of .three row message transmission is completed, the next cycle Vfollows immediately. YManifestly, however, other spacing-arrangements of the sensing means may be employed for specific purposes, for example, as by utilizing'longer chains and providing .greater Vchain-wise spacing thereon .between the last and first elements 14, 12, i. e. toaiord an interval of silence .between successive repetitions of the message.

As will now be apparent, the chains are disposed to carry the :sensing elements `past the heads 32, for positional displacement or reciprocation of the elements perpendicularly to the path @of travel, in laccordance with the successive high and low faces of the message-defining structure. For transmission of the positional reciprocation of the sensing elements to .actuate `a keying switch asdescribed below,a longplaten l5 is provided, comprising a rectangular plate having a. plane face parallel to the paths of the sensing means across the rows of key faces, the lplaten being arranged on the opposite side of the path, i. e. so that the sensing vsleeves 12, 13 and 14 -pass between it andithe faces 33.

The platen ,15 is provided with means .mounting it Ufor displacement only .into positions `parallel with itself. While other 'means Vsuch as .telescoping `studs `or the like may .be used, .a pantograph type of structure has been found convenient. comprising four parallel .links 11 .each pivoted a-t its ends to Acorresponding Aears 18, 'I9 ,respectively projecting from the `platen andthelowermounting plate .structure 60. The tears 'I8 Aare disposed in ,rectangular relation on the platen, and the ears 'i9 in similar relation on the plate 60 the fdisposition of the pivoted ends ofthe links 'I1 being staggered between the platen .and plate 50 ,as shown, so that the links standat a convenient operating angle (in the neighborhood of 45) for displacement of the platen toward and away from the plate Vand thus with the plane of the platen Vmoving perpendicularly .to the path of the sensity, i. e. in a direction toward the sensing path.V

A coil spring 84 under tension, extending between another of the links l-'lganda post 85 that projects '-f'romtheplate i511, resiliently urges theplaten outward, i. e. into position with its stop 82 engaged by the plate 60. Thus, depression of the platen away from the sending path must be exerted against the biasing action of the spring, which tends to restore the platen to its normal position shown in Fig. 2.

For actual keying operations in response to reciprocations of the platen l5, a switch generally designated Si! is included, being conveniently mounted on a plate structure 6E! below or behind the platen. While any of a variety of switches may be employed, designed to perform single or multiple controlling operations (with respect to one or more electrical circuits) and responsive to two o1' more positions of reciprocation of the platen and sensing means, the drawings illustrate, for simplicity, an enclosed switch structure of the microswitch type. Likewise, merely for simplicity of illustration, the switch is diagrammatically indicated as inclu-ding a pair of normally open contacts 92 adapted to be closed upon depression of a switch operating member or arm 93, the latter carrying an operating roller E4. Preferably the switch Sil is of a positive, snap-action type, quickly responsive to small displacements of its operating roller @d in opposite directions, for successively reversed circuit controlling functions.

For Iactuation of the switch, its mounting is conveniently such that the roller 94 bears on the inner face of the platen 15, the roller being held or biased against the plate by suitable means such as spring means (e. g. a compressed spring, not shown, urging the member 93 outwardly) such as conventionally included in switches of the character described, it being understood that the 1,

switch Sill may in general be of conventional character as explained above. In consequence upon a slight downward displacement of the platen as seen in Fig. 2, the roller 94 is shifted downwardly (to dotted line position 94a) actuating the switch in one direction as to close the contacts 92, while upon return displacement of the platen, the switch arm 93 restores itself to the full line position of Fig. 2 and reverses the circuit control as by opening the contacts 92.

It will also now 4be seen that the described successive reciprocations of the switch are effectuated by the travel of one or another of the sensing means along a row of key faces 33. For instance, when the sensing element 'M (Fig. 2) travels to the right, striking the heads 32 of the dash group 25a, and passing beneath their faces 33, the platen is moved downward, being held in its lower position until the sensing element reaches the last of the three high faces. The corresponding actuation of the switch is effective to transmit a dash signal, terminated when the element l!! reaches the next space or low position of the sett-able faces 33 and the platen is accordingly permitted to shift to its outer or upper location. Succeeding high levels of faces 33 results in corresponding successions of contact actuation, through the intermediary of the platen in engagement with the roller 9G. It will be particularly noted that the broad and elongated structure of the platen provides firm engageability for each of the three sensing members throughout the entire path of each, while the parallel linkage l? permits only the same displacement of the platen, in response to a high face 33a, at all positions of the sensing elements. In consequence, uniform and positive actuation of the switch is always achieved.

While for some purposes the sensing elements 12 to ld may be rigidly mounted on their supporting rods 52 to B4 and may have other provision for displaceability (as by the flexibility of the chains themselves or by other arrangement) the illustrated loose fit of the sleeves on the rods is of special and novel advantage. That is to say, as shown more clearly in Fig. 2b, each of the sleeves such as sleeve 14, has a considerably larger inside diameter than the surface of its supporting rod such as 64, the sleeve being thus loosely carried on the rod but retained endwise 'by collars Se fixed to the rod. Not only does the loose relation of the sleeve thus insure its displacement for actuation of the platen and switch, out the arrangement permits a more effective response to low faces 33h, e. g. to spaces in the illustrated sequence of dots and dashes.

As shown in Fig. 2b and assuming that the rod ti is travelling in the direction of the arrow, it will be seen that whereas the sleeve 14 may only travel a short distance during the time that it lies wholly between two spaced high faces 33a, 33a, the distance of travel of the rod 64 is :considerably greater, thereby providing a time interval for low position of the sleeve 'M at the low face t3?) which more precisely represents the extent of Such face in proportion to the high faces 33a. Thus this arrangement of the sensing elements permits a relatively large cylindrical element to be employed for ease of travel past successive high and low faces, yet avoids the reduction of the low face control intervals to objectonally small duration such as might occur (especially when the switch 9e is of snapacton type) were the sleeves or rollers tted closely on the rods and such as might confuse the message transmission by making it difficult to distinguish the existence or length of spaces between the succeeding dots or dashes. The sensing element thus has a positional response which is equivalent to, i. e. as close as that of a much smaller element. Although when the switch is of a ty-pe that always makes and breaks its contact at the saine point in its movement, close fitting rollers may sometimes ybe used, and although in some cases an appropriately slack chain may serve the special purposes of the loose fitting rollers or sleeves, it will now be seen that the latter represent a particularly effective structure for the described sensing operation.

It will :be noted that the reciprocation of the sensing elements such as the sleeve '|4 in Fig. 2b to the contour constituted by the high and 10W faces 33 need not involve actual abutment of the element with both face positions. That is to say, the return or upward movement of the platen 'l5 is limited by the stop screw 82 and it is therefore sufficient as shown in Fig. 2b that the sensing element ride somewhat inward (from the level of the high faces 33a) at the locality of the low faces 33h without actually touching the 10W faces.

For automatic operation of the apparatus a motor drive is provided, including an. electric motor Iill of a conventional low power type carrying on its drive shaft a gear |92 which meshes with a gear |03 on the shaft 58 for the sprocket wheels 5G, 51. For control of the motor, a switch lllrl may be provided on the panel 2|. connected `by suitable wiring (not shown). The motor circuit may also embrace a rheostat |05 which can be adjusted to vary the speed of the motor, and thus to change the keying speed of the apparatus. Although the rheostat can sometimes be mounted on the panel 2|, adjustment is usually required at only infrequent times;

hence in the embodiment', shown, access to the rheostat is had by removing the panel and the `attached apparatus from the protective, metal housing |05. In some cases, for example when only a single keying speed is required, the rheostat can :be omitted, the motor then preferably being of governor-controlled or synchronous type. Connections to all of the described electrical instrumentalities, such as the motor and the switch 90, may be effected by inserting a suitable plug in a socket |01 on the panel.

It will be understood that the wiring connected to the electrical instrumentalities is not illustrated since it is not essentially a part of the present invention and may assume any form suitable to the conditions of service. Arranged as shown, the motor is adapted through the indicated gearing to turn the sprockets 58, 51 and thus continuously advance the chains 50, 5|, e. g. in the direction of the arrows (Fig. 2) for progressively moving the sensing means past the rows of message-defining faces of the key members;

For aid in use of the apparatus, and especially for the aid of inexperienced personnel, an instruction plate |08 may be mounted on theV face or the panel 2|, to show the manner of setting the keys for dots, dashes and various spaces, as well as to display a" list' of the Continental Morse (or other) code characters. It may be noted that whereas the above described and i1- lustrated use of thek keyer has assumed each dash to be equal to three dots, experience has shown that in many cases the so-called readability of the-message is better with longer dashes, for instancecomposed of four (or more) dot-intervals, as obtained by depressing four (or more) of the keys 25.

The operation of the described mechanisms in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive should now be evident. Assuming that the attendant desiresy to transmit a particular message or signal, he sets up the keys in the several rows to represent the message, e. g. in Morse code characters as explained above. The message may extend consecutively through the' rows beginning at the left hand end (Fig. 17)' of row 22 and terminating at or before the right hand end of rowN 24. While a useful structure is possible with the settable members in one or more curved linear paths (e. g. concentric rows) and with the sensing means carriedv along corresponding orbits', the illustrated arrangement of the keys in parallel, straight lines is extraordinarily desirable, not only for economy of panel space and other structural advantage, but also for special convenience and simplicity in the visualization of the dotV and dash message as it is set up.

With the several key members 25 set and releasably locked in desired high and low positions of the faces 33, the motor drive is initiated to carry the successive sensing elements 'I2 to 24, respectively along the rows, e. g. the three straight lines 22 to 24 shown in Fig. 1. As the chains constituting the conveyor complete a single relvolution, the completev message setV up Von the rows of keys (or on one or more of said rows) is transmitted by desired'successive actuations of the switch 90, and by the continuance of the motor drive, the entire signal is automatically repeated, transmitting the message again and again so long as the operator desires. To signal a diierent arrangement of character elements, i. e. a diierent message, the keys are simply manipulated to a new series of' positions 12 and the`V operation proceeds as before; indeed if desired, a new message may be set up without arresting the travel of the conveyor device, assuming, of course, that no confusion results to the remote receiver through the brief interval of resetting.

The entire structure is of a rugged and reliable character, aiording positive and uniform re"- sponse in its mechanical translating system. The operation of setting up a message is eX- tremely simple, involving manipulation of a con-v venient keyboard at a fully exposed locality and in a manner which inherently indicates the coding` of the message at it is set up. There are no operations requiring tools or special instruments (as in the insertion or removall of cam segments or the like in a rotating circular cam), nor is the operator required to handle or adjust intricate electrical orlike parts. Similarly, the elec'- trical system represents a minimum of complexity, since a single switch or assembly of contactsV may be used for all operations, i. e. for the entirety of each message and throughout any changes or resetting of messages; indeed in some f cases, a sensing element of suitable structure and insulated mounting can itself bea contact for directly closing a circuit through the depressed keys. The apparatus is essentially light and compact,` requiring a minimum of load on the motor' |06 and needing little or no mechanical servicing over long periods of time. Y

Figs. 5 to '7 show another embodiment of the apparatus, involving some mechanical simplicity although lacking certain special advantages, e. g. in the case of setting up a message, attained with the device of Figs. l to 4. In Figs 5 to 7 the switch-actuating mechanism, including the sensing elements and conveyor structure, may be the same as in the apparatus first described, and is therefore not shown in detail again. Instead of the individually shiftable keys 25 permanently mounted in keyboard arrangement, the present embodiment has provision for one or more rows of repleaceable members I I0, I I I, for instance three parallel rows II2, ||3, IIli, as shown. Each of the members |I0, III has a rectangular shank portion IIS adapted to project through an elongated slot II2a, |I3a, or II4a., in the panel or outer plate IIB of the apparatus, the slots thus corresponding with the above-mentioned rows of members settablev tov provide a message-defining contour. Each of the members IIO, |I'I` also has arms or ilanges |20 projecting at opposite sides transversely of the row in which the member is disposed, the projecting portions |20 thus engaging the face of the panel IIB to retain the member in a desired position against inward disn placement. At its outer' end, each of the mem` bers has a head, designated |22 or I23 for the members I|0l and III respectively, and having a cross section smaller than the hanged portion |20, the heads |22', |23 being adapted to extend through a mounting slot in an outer panel or frame |25.

While other congurations of the members I I0, III may be employed to aord the relation of various portions as described above, the elongated cross-shaped structure shown is particularly convenient, in facilitating the setting of the members and in promoting their proper alignment. As will also be apparent from the drawing, the members IIO, III are respectively of `different lengths below their projections |20; for example, the members I|0 have a longer shank I|6 so as .to provide at the lower end a high iace |26,

while the shorter shank I IB of. the members affords a corresponding low face |21. In consequence a series of members H0, may be arranged in each of the rows ||2, ||3, iM, in varied succession so as to provide any desired orderof high and low faces |26, |21 along the path `of the corresponding sensing means such as the sensing element |30 shown by way of illustration.

As will 4also be apparent, the members H0, i may each be of a variety of lengths ina direction along the row. That is to say, there may be `members H having a short face |26 to provide a dot of the coded message, and corresponding members, such as indicated at lilla, which are of elongated character and lthus provide a high face extending for a longer distance, e. g. Vto represent a dash. Similarly, the low faces |21 of the members may be short or long, in accordance wi-th corresponding dimensions of such members lengthwise of the row, the short members serving to provide spaces between ydots and dashes of a single character, and the long members affording spacing between characters. Alternatively, if desired, all of the members may be of uniform, short dimension, lengthwise of the message path, for instance so that each member represents the duration of a dot or of a space within a character, and so thatdashes or longer spaces `may be composed by a series of like members, just as such representation is obtainable by corresponding series of identically adjusted key mem bers in Figs. 1 to 4. For variety of illustration, however, the structure shown in Figs. to '7 embodies assemblies of members of different length,

which each in itself constitutes an entire control component for effectuating a set of successive, alternate operations of the key switch.

The outer plate serves tohold the members in place in the desired rows, by virtue of the corresponding slots ||2b, ||3b and H413, arranged in registration with the :slots of the plate i3 and thus seating over the heads |22, |23 of the settable members lili, The plate or frame |25 is removably supported by screws |3| having manually engageable heads |28 and threaded into the panel ||8. As shown, the plate |25, along the edges of the rows lll2b, ||3b and H419 seats on the upper edges or faces of the projections |20, thus retaining the key members H0, against outward displacement. If desired, accurate positioning of the plate |25 and avoidance of undue pressure on the members |4|| may be facilitated by spacers |29 through which the `screws |3| pass intermediate the plate |25 and the main panel I I8.

It will 'now be seen that in order to set up a desired message on the device of Figs. 5 to 7, the panel |25 is first removed -by loosening the four screws |3| (indicated by their heads |28 in Fig. 5) so that the screws lare free of the panel H8. Thereupon, from a suitable supply of members |IU, Il, which may each be available in both long and short sizes if it is desired to utilize preset dash or long space elements, the operator selects a series which will represent a desired message, say in the Morse code, and inserts the members in proper, abutting sequence along the several rows ||2, ||3, H4. Since the operation of the sensing and key-actuating means is the same as in Figs. 1 to 4, the message may lbe established along the rows in sequence, as to read from left to right of row ||2, then similarly for rows ||3 and ||4 in succession. Proper makeup of a desired message may be facilitated by dify ferently coloring Ior marking the high face key members H@ and the low face key members for example `by coloring the heads of the meinbers |||l black to indicate clots or dashes, while the members ||i are -colored white or left with uniinished metal surfaces.

When the members have been properly inserted and aligned, the plate I 25 is replaced, seating its slots over the corresponding three rows of members, with their heads entered in the slots. Upon tightening the screws ill, the assembly ,is locked in place, ready for the transmitting operation. It will be noted that the slots preferably have a length equal to a whole number multiple of the short or narrow key members, and that where used, the elongated members (representing dashes or long spaces) are likewise dimensioned to equal a whole number multiple of the narrow members; thus each slot may be effectively filled, from end to end, with the meinbers in any arrangement, subject to the inclusion of some extra spacing if necessary, as by one or two of the narrow members.

With the message thus established in the rows H2, H3, Hd, the series of high and low faces provided at |25, |21 along the inner surface of each row may be sensed by appropriate means successively traversing the rows, for actuation oi' the key switch in accordance with ythe contour thus provided. As explained, it is assumed that the remaining parts are the same as shown in Figs. i to 4, including the conveyor chains 50, 5| for moving the sensing means, here represented by the element i3d (like the elements 12, 13, 11i) carried Iby a transverse rod |32 between the -chains and adapted to engage the surface of Ithe platen 15. Thus as the sensing element |36 goes past its corresponding row, the platen 15 is shifted outward as the element passes a high face |23, and returns inward as the element reaches and traverses a low face |21. As shown in Fig. 2 and described hereinabove, the key switch is correspondingly actuated to transmit the desired message or signal. Since in the embodiment here shown the sensing element |35 need not lactually abut the low faces |21, the members may, if desired, be relatively shorter than as illustrated in Fig. 6, a short shank of such member being thsu indicated, by way of' example, at Hic. in Fig. 7.

When a different message is to be keyed, the plate 525 is simply again removed and a new combination of members im, iii set up in the slots. As will now be apparent, the structure of Figs. 5 to 7 affords a simple and relatively convenient means for ready establishment of any desired message for automatic keying, although the structure lacks certain specific advantages, such as rapidity of adjustment or setting, and absence of separable parts, that characterize the device of Figs. 1 to 4.

As indicated above, structures of the present sort may have any desired number of rows of settable members, arranged to be successively traversed by sensing means for control of the keying switch. Figs. 8 and 9, for example, show an arrangement otherwise similar to Figs. 1 to 4 but embodying four parallel rows, Mii to |114 inclusive, of key members E, each having the same structure, and mounting and locking arrangements as shown in detail in the earlierl igures. In order to provide four successive sensing means on the endless conveyor device comprising the pair of spaced, parallel, endless chains ii, ll, the chains must be proportionately longer than the. chains sa, 5l of Figs; 2 and3. Fig. 8 shows one provision-for accommodatingv longer chains, i. e. by providing a supplemental pair of sprocket wheels indicated at 52 and spaced rearwardly of the like chain-supporting wheels l53, 55d that are disposed at the ends of the path behind the keys. The extra sprocket wheels H32 may be carried on an appropriate shaft [55, supported by suitable arms or like structure indicated at ll. l'n consequence the loop'followed by each of the chains i553, |51 has a generally' triangular contour, extending rear'- wardly of the message-denning path as well as along the latter, so asl to provide the desired, greater length for the conveyor.

By reason of the described structure, four sensing elements i6! to lii inclusive, may be carried by the chains, mutually spaced by a distance equal to the length of a key row, for the desired, successive response to the four rows. It willl be understood that where still greater nurnbers'of sensing elements are required, as for more rows, longer conveyor devices may be employed, including appropriate provision for suspension or support of the idle parts of the conveyor through regions at the rear of the messagedening paths or otherwise spaced from such paths, additional sets of sprocket wheels being thus provided as necessary to accommodate the longer chains. the operation of the device of Fig. 8 is otherwise identical with that of the other figures, in that the plate 75 is reciprocated in accordance with Athe message dened by each row of members,

for actuation of the keying switch se.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specic apparatus herein shown and described but may be embodied in other forms without departure from its spirit.

I claim:

1. Keying apparatus comprising a keying switch, a plurality of members disposed ina linear array and shiftably arranged to constitute an4 elongated, stationary linear structure having a message-defining contour, sensing means movable along said structure for positionalv response tc said members in succession from one end to the other of said struct ire, and switchactuating means including an elongated member extending substantially the length or and parallel to said structure and displaceable mechanically by the sens-ing means throughout the movement oi the sensing means along said structure, for operating the switch in accordance with the den'ed message'.

2. Keying apparatus comprising a keying switch, means including structure disposed along a predetermined rectilinear path, to provide a message-defining contour along said path, and switch actuating means including sensing means movable progressively past said structure and means mechanically controllable by the sensing means throughout the path, for operating the ,switch successively in accordance with positional 'response of the sensing means to the aforesaid It will also be understood thatY lil 3.y Keying apparatus comprising. a. keying switch, a panel, a plurality' of membersA disposed in a linear array on one side of the panel and having manually engageable portions extending through the panel to the other side, each of said members being shiftable transversely of said linear array selectively intohighv and low positio-ns, whereby said plurality of members; is. adapted to be set up to constitute said array as a linear structure having. a message-defining contour, sensingmeanslmovable in. apath along said linear array, for positional response to said members in succession from'one endl to the other of the structure, and switch-actuating means including a platen which is mounted to move only in-a direction transverse. of said path and is engageable by said sensing means throughout said path along the linear array, for operating thel switch in accordance with a messag'edefined byl said structure.

4. Keying apparatus comprising a keying switch, a plurality of settable members aligned in stationary array along a predetermined linear path to provide a message-defining contour along said path, and switch actuating means including sensing means movable past said members in succession alongv the path and means mechanically'controllable by the sensing means throughout the path for. operating the? switch successivelyr in accordance with positional response of the sensing means to the aforesaid contour, some of said members being disposed with a control face in position to be engaged by said sensing means for a predetermined stroke of said switch and others of said members being arranged to be ineiiective for said predetermined switch stroke, andeach of'said members being individually settable and having a part extending away from said path and accessible for individually setting the member in desired position in the path.

5. Apparatus as described in claim 4 in which the settable members comprise members'Y having successively different lengths transversely of the path and thereby having corresponding high and lowA end faces at said path to constitute the aforesaid contour, each member being. removably settable in thel aforesaid aligned relation along the path, and the mem-bersY being replaceabley by other? like membersY to be setin the path for provision of a different message-defining contour, said apparatus including means releasably engaging the aligned, set members as a group, to hold them` in position;

6. Apparatus as described in claim 4 in which each of the settable members comprises a key member having an end face adjacent the path and shiftable transversely of the path selectively into high and low positions of the end face, and means for. releasably holding each key member in each of its selectablev positions.

'1. Keying apparatus comprising a keyin switch, a plurality of individually settable members disposed inra stationary linear array along a predetermined path and adapted to provide successive high and low faces along said path to denne a message, and translatingr means controlled by said members and comprising sensing means movable along said path for positional response. to said high and* low faces in succession, switch actuating means mechanically controllable by said. sensing means throughout' its travel along said path and inr accordance with positional response off the sensingV means to the aforesaid highand; low faces, and means including a panel, for supporting the members in said linear array, said members consisting of some members each of which has a single high face exposed in said path, and some members each of which has only a low face exposed in said path, each of said members having a part eX- tending away from said path and accessible at the face of the panel for individually setting the member in desired position in the path.

8. Keying apparatus comprising a keying switch, a plurality of parallel, rectilinear rows of settable members, each of said rows comprising a plurality of members arranged to provide a series of high and low faces along a corresponding rectilinear path, to define a message, the rows of members being disposed so that the corresponding rectilinear paths lie parallel to each other in substantially the same plane, a pluralitr of sensing means corresponding to the plurality of rows of members, each sensing means being adapted for positional response to the high and low faces of the members in the corresponding path upon movement of such sensing means along said path, an elongated conveyor device having a length at least equal to the length of a row of members multiplied by the number of such rows, the sensing means being carried by the conveyor device at localities spaced along the latter by distances at least equal to the length of a row of members, means for advancing the conveyor device lengthwise along the aforesaid predetermined paths, so that the sensing means are successively carried along the respective corresponding rows of members for positional response thereto, and switch-actuating means including a control structure therefor disposed to be actuated by each of the sensing means throughout its path along the said members.

9. Keying apparatus comprising a keying switch, a plurality of settable members disposed in a linear array along a predetermined path,

each of said members having a single face exposed at said path, each of said members being shiftable transversely of said path to dispose its aforesaid face in high and low positions, means for releasably holding the members in their respectively selected positions, sensing means movable along the path for positional response to the high and low positions of said faces, and switchactuating means controlled by the sensing means in accordance with successive positional displacements thereof, each of said members having its aforesaid face adapted, when in high position, to be engaged by the sensing means, and the members being collectively adapted to provide,

by the high faces, a series of spaced messagedening dots and dashes, the members being closely spaced to constitute a continuous dash by the setting of a plurality of adjacent members in high position.

10. In keying apparatus, in combination, a

plurality of settable members disposed in a linear array and arranged to present a series of high and low faces along a predetermined path, sensing means movable along the path and positionally responsive to said high and low faces, and translating means including a platen mounted independently of the sensing means and-disposed to be engaged by said sensing means throughout said path and shiftable only in a direction transversely of the path, in accordance with positional response of the sensing means to said faces, said sensing means, as it traverses said path, being movable along and relative to said platen. l

11. Keying apparatus comprising a plurality of settable members disposed in a linear array and arranged to provide a series of high faces and spaces characterized by absence of a high face, along a predetermined path to designate a message, a sensing device adapted to engage said faces and shiftable in accordance therewith, conveyor means for moving said sensing device along said path in responsive relation to said faces, and switching means including a switch and control structure therefor, said control structure extending lengthwise or' said path and being adapted to be displaced by the sensing means in accordance with the positional response thereoi` to the massage-deiining faces along the path, said conveyor means comprising an endless conveyor device and means ior continuously advancing said device along a corresponding endless path which includes the aforesaid predetermined path, lsaid sensing means being carried by the conveyor device intermediate said settable members and the control structure displaced by the sensing means.

l2. Apparatus as described in claim 11 wherein the conveyor device comprises a pair of endless chains adapted to pass along spaced paths parallel to the inst-mentioned predetermined path, the sensing means including supporting structure mounted at its ends to the respective chains, `and the control structure displaced bythe sensing means comprising a platen extending along the first predetermined path and mounted ior displacement only in a direction transverse to said path ior response to positional displacements of the sensing means.

13. l'eying apparatus comprising .a keying switch, a plurality oi' settable members disposed in stationary linear array along a predetermined path, each of said members having a lace` exposed in said path and being shli'tabietransversely of the path in a direction perpendicular to said face, between respectively selectable high and low positions, each member having associated spring means biasing the member into one of said positions and i'eleasable retaining means for holding the member in the other ofsaid positions against the.biasing ei'iect of the spring means, sensing means adapted to traverse the path for positional response to the members in succession, and switch-actuating means mechanically controlled by the sensing means and in accordance with positional displacements thereof.

14. Keying apparatus, comprising `a keying switch, a plurality of individually settable members disposed in stationary, linear array along a predetermined` path and arranged to provide a series of faces engageable in said path and spaces characterized by absence of an engageable face, to designate a message, sensing means adapted to traverse the path for positional response to the members in succession, switch-actuating means mechanically controlled by the sensing means and in accordance with positional displacement thereof, `and meansforrepeatedly advancing the sensing means along said path in positionally responsive relation to the faces of the members, the switch-actuating means comprising a platen extending lengthwise of said path in parallel relation thereto, said platen being engageable by the sensing means. i

15. Apparatus as described in claim 14 in which the means for repeatedly advancing the sensing means comprises an endless conveyor device to which the sensing means is mounted, and means for continuously advancing said conveyor device along a corresponding endless path which inlcludes the aforesaid predetermined path, to carry i9 the sensing means repeatedly along the members, between them andthe platen.

1`6. Apparatus as described in claim l5 which includes another plurality of settable members disposed along a linear path parallel to the rstmentioned'path, saidmembers of'said second row being identically mounted and structurally identical with the members of the first row, and a second sensing means adapted for positional response to the faces ofthe members ofthe second row, the platen being disposed for actuation by each ofthe sensing means and the conveyor device carrying the second' sensing means in spaced relation lengthwise of" said device, for advancing ofthe second sensing means along said path and in positi'onalli7 responsive relation to the memhers of the second row after the rst sensing means hasH traversed the path.

1'7. In keying apparatus, in combination, a plurality of parallel, rectilinear rows of settable members', each row comprising members disposed in a rectilinear array along a corresponding path, each of said members having a face exposed at its path, each of said members being shiftable transversely of its path to dispose its aforesaid face in high andl'ow positions, means for releasably holding the members in their respectively Selected positions, a plurality ofv sensing means corresponding to the plurality of rows of members, each sensing means being adapted for response to the high vfaces of the members in the corresponding path upon movement of such sensing means along said path, an elongated conveyor device having a length at least eoual to the length of a row of members multiplied by the number of such rows', the sensing means being carried by the conveyor means at localities spaced along the latter by distances at least egual to the length ofV a row ofA members. and for advancing the conveyorV means lengthwise along the aforesaid predetermined paths. so that the sensing means are successively carried along the respective corresponding rows of members for response thereto.

18. In keying apparatus, in combination, a plurality of settable members disposed in a linear array along a predeterminedv path and adapted to provide successive high and low faces along said path to dene a message, and sensing means movable along said path for positional response to said high and low faces in succession, saidl sensing means including movable supporting means, means for driving the supporting means along said path, and a sensing element carried by the supporting means and having a curved sensing surface adapted to move in opposite direc tions at opposite ends of each high face region along the path, said sensing element being mounted loosely relative to the driving means. to provide more abrupt positional response of the element at ends of high face regions than is inherentlv characteristic of said curved surface.

19. Keying apparatus comprising a keying switch. a plurality of settable members disposed in a linear array and arranged to provide a series of high and low faces along a predetermined path to designate a message. a sensing device comprising a supporting member and a tubular element loosely carried thereon and adapted to engage said faces and shiftable in accordancetherewith, conveyor means for moving said sensing device along said path in responsive relation to said faces, and switch-actuating means including a control structure therefor extending lengthwise of said path and adapted to be displaced by the and including a sensing element movable along the path, for controlling an electrical circuit in accordance with the characteristics ofthe members, said members having control characteristics respectively adapted, in series along thepath, to

dene successive control components of a desiredv message, and means for repeatedlyY moving the sensing element along the path, to effect repeated transmission of the message, said settable members constituting a stationary arrayV of members of which some have faces disposed in said path for predetermined engagement by the sensing element and of which others are arranged to provide spaces at intermediate localities in said path, each of said settable members including a part extending through the panel and accessible at the face of the panel, for individually setting the member to have the selected relation thereof to the sensing element and path, all of said members collectively constituting a contour defining the aforesaid message along the path, and each of said members being arranged to indicate visually at the face side of the panel its aforesaid selected relation to the path and sensing element, for visual display of the defined message. v

2l. Keying apparatus for effecting alternate modifications of an electrical circuit in accordance with a series of control components dening a message, comprising a plurality of individually settable members arrayed along a predetermined path and each having a control face, means centrollable by the members in accordance with the positions of the control faces relative to the path, and including a Sensing element movable along the path, for controlling an electrical circuit, said members having their control faces respectively disposed, in series along the path. to denne successive control components of a desired message, and means for repeatedly moving the sensing element along the path, to effect repeated transmission of the message, said settable members constituting a stationary array of members arranged along a plane surface parallel to said path, some of said members having their aforesaid control faces in position for predetermined engagement by said sensing element as it moves along the path and others of said members having their control faces disposed away from such last-mentioned position to provide spaces at intermediate localities along the path, said circuit-controlling means and sensing element being disposed on the same side of said plane surface as said path, and each of said settable members including a part accessible on the other side of said surface for individually setting the member in position to have the selected relation of the control face of said member to the path.

22. Keying apparatus comprising. in combination, a plurality of individually settable members arranged in a stationary linear array along a predetermined path, electric switching means including a sensing element movable along the path, some of said members each having a face disposed in said path for engagement by the sensing element in a direction urging said element transversely of the path, others'of said members being arranged to provide spaces in said path intermediate at least certain o! said faces, certain of said first-.mentioned some of the members being arranged to provide short and long face structures each extending substantially continuously alongthe path to represent code dot and dash elements, all of said members collectively constituting fa contour defining a. dot and dash code message along the path, and means for moving the sensing means along the path for operation of the switching means in response to engagement cig-the sensing element with said member faces, toeieot electrical transmission of said deilned message.

Tl" JOHN R. MACKAY.

f 22 REFERENCES CITED The followin references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

